Benedict Sheehan: Vespers

HRAudio Review

Benedict Sheehan: Vespers

this is choral singing at its most exquisite. The bottom line is that Benedict Sheehan has in all evidence succeeded in creating once more a fresh and vibrant view to Eastern Orthodox chant in all its glowing colours.

“In the field of Orthodox church music, Benedict Sheehan is not only a widely acclaimed conductor, with this new release he proves, and not for the first time, that he is also a highly competent composer. …The soloists are entirely drawn from the members of [The Saint Tikhon Choir] but do – in their own right – belong to some of the best solo singers America has on offer, including the unique American Basso Profundo, Glenn Miller. The opening Psalm immediately sets the tone in all its meanings. A wonderful combination of male and female voices, rich and beautifully shaped, is the ideal background over which the baritone of the lead singer Michael Hawes and fine countertenor of Timothy Parsons seems to be hovering. In the following parts, I searched, for the sake of honest reviewing, for weak moments. I couldn’t find any, other than that the variety of Sheehan’s Vespers, might give different listeners different moments of appreciation. … this is choral singing at its most exquisite. The bottom line is that Benedict Sheehan has in all evidence succeeded in creating once more a fresh and vibrant view to Eastern Orthodox chant in all its glowing colours. … Finally, there shouldn’t be the slightest doubt about the missing link to perfection: The quality of the recording. Cappella Records has put all their faith in Soundmirror and producer Blanton Alspaugh, with Brandon Johnson and John Newton engineering and Mark Donahue doing the mixing and the mastering. …Needless to say that Sheehan and Company made my (Sun)day.”

–Adrian Quanjer